Buddy's Place
'Discovery Institue' Interested in Neither Discovery Nor Science
RECEIVED Mon., Sept. 29, 2003
Dear Chronicle:
I taught high school biology for the last three years, and testified against the dumbing-down of evolution in Texas textbooks at the Sept. 10 SBOE hearing. Ray Bohlin's recent letter to the Chronicle demonstrates his utter disregard for the scientific community and the scientific method. The "so-called 'practicing scientists and science educators'" Bohlin sneers at in his letter are world-class scientists from Texas universities and colleges, and dedicated professors and high school teachers determined to protect science education from pseudoscientific nonsense. Many of the scientists who testified use evolutionary theory on a daily basis in the lab to make advances in medicine, biotechnology, and ecology. What is "so-called" about them? What is "so-called" about the teachers who work so hard to educate students?
His attack on Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg is no less disrespectful. Dr. Weinberg's "incredible arrogance" at the hearing was to testify, beautifully, about the nature of science, which is at the heart of this controversy. He never made any mention of Dr. Bohlin's testimony; in fact, I am quite sure that Dr. Weinberg is unaware of Ray Bohlin's existence.
Scientists have effortlessly debunked Dr. Bohlin's (and the Discovery Institute's) "true scientific testimony" many times over. Dr. Bohlin again shows us the true face of the Discovery Institute with mean-spirited dismissal of practicing scientists' and teachers' hard work, and with a letter that is misleading and petulant. Dr. Bohlin and his Discovery colleagues keep carping about how unfair it is that that their irrelevant and unscientific criticisms of evolution are consistently refuted. Real scientists, of course, have the unfair advantage of lab and field data to back their claims. Discovery "scientists" (who have no lab at all) keep making it up as they go along.
I taught high school biology for the last three years, and testified against the dumbing-down of evolution in Texas textbooks at the Sept. 10 SBOE hearing. Ray Bohlin's recent letter to the Chronicle demonstrates his utter disregard for the scientific community and the scientific method. The "so-called 'practicing scientists and science educators'" Bohlin sneers at in his letter are world-class scientists from Texas universities and colleges, and dedicated professors and high school teachers determined to protect science education from pseudoscientific nonsense. Many of the scientists who testified use evolutionary theory on a daily basis in the lab to make advances in medicine, biotechnology, and ecology. What is "so-called" about them? What is "so-called" about the teachers who work so hard to educate students?
His attack on Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg is no less disrespectful. Dr. Weinberg's "incredible arrogance" at the hearing was to testify, beautifully, about the nature of science, which is at the heart of this controversy. He never made any mention of Dr. Bohlin's testimony; in fact, I am quite sure that Dr. Weinberg is unaware of Ray Bohlin's existence.
Scientists have effortlessly debunked Dr. Bohlin's (and the Discovery Institute's) "true scientific testimony" many times over. Dr. Bohlin again shows us the true face of the Discovery Institute with mean-spirited dismissal of practicing scientists' and teachers' hard work, and with a letter that is misleading and petulant. Dr. Bohlin and his Discovery colleagues keep carping about how unfair it is that that their irrelevant and unscientific criticisms of evolution are consistently refuted. Real scientists, of course, have the unfair advantage of lab and field data to back their claims. Discovery "scientists" (who have no lab at all) keep making it up as they go along.
Sincerely,
Amanda Walker
Amanda Walker